You are probably just now wondering, where did summer go? To make sure your car, truck, or SUV stays safe and reliable throughout the year, we’ve prepared seven essential end-of-summer car care tips. It’s a good idea that while the weather is still pleasant that you set aside some time to tend to your vehicle’s maintenance needs.
CHECK ALL YOUR LIGHTS You need lights to see and be seen, especially when rain and fog reduce visibility. Check that all lights are functional, including marker lights, turn signals, hazard lights, brake lights (including the center high mount brake light), reverse lights, taillights, headlights and fog lights. If you find any blown bulbs, consider replacing the matching bulb on the other side at the same time, as it may not be far from going out as well. Generally headlights should be replaced in pairs.
SWAP YOUR WIPERS A good guideline is to replace wiper blades every six months, but they may wear sooner. Now is a good time to replace any wiper blades that streak, chatter or don’t clear the windshield properly. Make sure to use the correct length of wiper blade and don’t forget the rear wiper if your SUV or van is so equipped.
CHECK YOUR TIRES Check that your summer or all-season tires have at least 4/32 inches of tread depth remaining. Look for abnormal tread wear, which may indicate an alignment or suspension problem. It might also be time for a tire rotation to ensure even tire wear. If you have a spare tire pull it out and make sure it is aired up.
CHECK THE BATTERY First, look for corrosion on the battery terminals. This needs to be cleaned or repaired to eliminate resistance between the battery and the rest of the electrical system, such as the starter and blower. Then, have the battery load-tested — replace it if it’s too weak for a cold start. Also check the battery age to see if it is nearing the end of its service life. A typical battery lasts 3-5 years so be prepared for a replacement if yours is older.
AIR CONDITIONING It not only cools air during the summer, it also works as a dehumidifier. Functional or not, have its performance checked to ensure year-long operation. Even when the weather turns pleasantly cool make sure to run your air conditioning once a week to keep it in good shape. Running the air conditioner helps keep components lubricated while also keeping the seals fresh and less likely to leak.
CHECK FLUIDS AND INSPECT BELTS Check and adjust all fluid levels, including engine oil, engine coolant, power-steering fluid and transmission fluid. Check and adjust V-belts and serpentine belts and replace if needed. Keep in mind that modern serpentine belts can still look fine due to advances in materials, which means they don’t crack as much as the old belts. These modern belts actually wear down like a tire and lose their ability to grip pulleys effectively..
CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM The number one cause of summer breakdowns is the cooling system, so getting that serviced is a great recommendation for end of summer maintenance. The coolant should be flushed usually every two years or per manufacturer specs.
For more information on end-of-summer car care advice or any other general car maintenance tips, chat with your service advisor at Auto Select.